Aedes albopictus in soil bromeliads in Ilhabela, coastal area of Southeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence of Aedes albopictus in soil bromeliads in ecologically distinct environments in terms of positivity, density and volume of water. METHODS: The study was carried out in the municipality of Ilhabela, North coast of the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil. Collections were fortnightly performed between March 1998 and July 1999, in containers of bromeliads located in urban, peri-urban and forest environments. The water content in plants was measured and recorded. Data analysis was based on the frequency of bromeliads with Ae. albopictus (ANOVA), abundance (Kruskal-Wallis) and volume of water in positive bromeliads (Student's t-test). RESULTS: The presence and density of Ae. albopictus in soil bromeliads varied by environment. Greater positivity (85%) and abundance (81%) were found in plants located in the urban environment. Also, mosquitoes showed preference to bromeliads with higher content of water (mean 300 ml). CONCLUSIONS: The different frequencies and densities of Ae. albopictus seen in the different environments show their capacity of invading new habitats. It is advisable to intensify entomologic surveillance in these plants as they could become permanent breeding sites. The presence of these mosquitoes of medical importance in bromeliads in a preserved area of the Atlantic Rainforest may imply in serious health hazard.